Ireland's first solar project supported under the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme has energised

Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment Darragh O'Brien today welcomed Ireland's first solar project to energise under the Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS).

The energisation of Meadhill Solar farm in Cork, supported through SRESS, marks another important milestone in the delivery of Ireland’s renewable electricity journey. The milestone comes just weeks after Ireland surpassed 3 GW of installed solar capacity, highlighting the remarkable pace at which solar energy is developing in Ireland.

The 650 kW Cork project, which allows for the grazing of sheep around and beneath the solar panels, was developed by local farmer Sean Keating and demonstrates how, with the assistance of SRESS, farmers can get on board with the energy transition and supplement their farming with a long term, stable source of income. This predictable revenue stream can provide vital long-term support for traditional farming operations and generates enough clean electricity to power 150 local households annually.

The Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme complements other government supports for renewable electricity, such as the utility-scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and self-consumer Microgeneration Support Scheme by providing a route to market for community groups, farmers, businesses, and others, allowing them to maximise their participation in the energy transition.

Minister O'Brien said:

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Niall Collins, said:

Ireland's solar energy has developed significantly in recent years, with nearly 3.2 GW of solar capacity now installed. Less than five years after Ireland's first utility-scale solar farm was energised, there is now almost 1.9 GW of utility-scale solar connected. A rooftop revolution is also well underway across Ireland as data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) shows that over 200,000 homes across Ireland have installed solar panels – many with government support through Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant schemes. This growth is helping to diversify Ireland's renewable electricity generation portfolio and complements the country's onshore wind energy sector. Onshore wind remains Ireland's dominant source of renewable energy, with over 5 GW generation capacity connected to the network.

ENDS

Small-Scale Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (SRESS)

• SRESS enables communities, farmers, small businesses and others to maximise their participation in the energy transition
• SRESS support is provided through a guaranteed 15-year tariff, with a significantly higher tariff provided to community projects compared to commercial developers due to the additional barriers they face when establishing projects such as planning, grid connection and financing
• SRESS offers 2 different options for renewable electricity projects.
  • The first option is for SRESS grants available for renewable self-consumers above 50 kW and up to 1 MW through SEAI's Non-Domestic Microgen Grant. This grant is for those who want to install solar panels to power their own business, community building or farm. They use the electricity generated and any excess electricity produced can be stored in a battery or sold back to their electricity supplier through the Clean Export Guarantee.
  • The second option, the SRESS export phase, is designed for business, community, and farmer export-only projects above 50 kW to up to 6 MW. SRESS offers a simpler route to market for those groups, with fixed tariffs for solar and wind, without performance bonds or auctions, aligning more closely to the capacity of those sectors. All export projects up to 1 MW can also apply for what is termed the SRESS export tariff and need not be a SME or farmer owned project.

SRESS Review

• In February 2026, the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment commenced a review of the SRESS tariffs to ensure tariff levels remain effective and that the scheme provides appropriate support and value for money to consumers. The existing tariff rates continue to apply while this work is underway, with completion expected later this year.
• The review is considering the creation of a distinct farmer-specific tariff as well as potential partnerships between communities and developers, by reviewing the 100% community ownership requirement
• The existing published rates remain fully available and valid for all applicants until the review is finalised and any new terms are published

Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS)

• The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) is Ireland's flagship support scheme for grid-scale renewable electricity generators and has been a key driver of Ireland’s renewables success story so far.
• RESS has been instrumental in providing a supportive policy environment for Ireland's growing renewables sector since the first auction in 2020. The scheme aligns closely with the work of the national Energy Affordability Taskforce through the range of consumer protection measures included in the auction design, including the 2-way contract for difference mechanism, as well as by being the primary means of delivering the long-term energy transition and associated benefits for consumers.
• 5 onshore RESS auctions have been held to date, with the sixth onshore auction due to commence later this year

Meadhill Solar Farm

• Meadhill Solar farm is a 650kW facility in Meadstown, Kildorrery, Co. Cork, independently developed by farmer Sean Keating and installed by PV Generation
• It features more than 1,000 solar panels across 1.5 acres
• It will generate enough clean electricity to power 150 local households annually, while allowing continued grazing of sheep on the land beneath the solar panels
• Support from the government's SRESS scheme, along with a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) by Flogas, made this project possible
• Meadhill farm is a 110 acre dairy farm, milking 86 Pedigree Reg Holstein Friesian cows